Method and apparatus for packaging paper bags and the like



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Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THIELENS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AWD THE LIKE 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 25. 1949 JNVENTOR. weg/va@ ,0. Tfr/L s/vs HTTOKNEYS Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THlELENs 2,612,737

' METHOD AND APPARATUS PoR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND TRE LIKE:

Filed Feb. 25, 1949 l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lz-l' v 32- BY Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THIELENS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 25, 1949 INVENTOR. WA4/v5@ P 7W/5L EMS BY i Tram/ys Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THlELENs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 25. 1949 JNVENTOR. was/v5@ /2 Tf//LE/vs BY i HTTORNEY Oct. 7, 11952 w. P. THIELENS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGNG PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 25, 1949 INVENTOR. WHG/MK A Til/4 ws HTTOKNEYS Oct. 7, i952 w. P. THU-:LENS l2,612,737

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25, 1949 13 sheets-sheet 9 INVEN TOR. Wag/v5@ P. rma :Ms

BWPi/m H TTOMEYJ W. P. THIELENS oct. 7, 1952 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE 13 sheds-sheet 1o Filed Feb. 25, 1949 INVENTOR. Wqws@ /2 rfv/1. Ms

@TTO/VEYS 15 Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTUR.

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Get. 7, 1952 w. P. THIELENs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THELIKE Filed Feb. 25, 1949 Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THIELENS 2,612,737

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE Oct. 7, 1952 w. P. THU-:LENS

2,612,737 METHOD AND' APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 25. 1949 l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTOR. I 6 Wag/ER R Tf//fL/sA/.s 4334-8" HTTOR/VEKS Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED As'riires Partnr orifice 2,612,737 Y y v METHOD AND arromruspggracmems f PAPER BAGS AND THE LIKE I Wagner P. 'rin'elena, Tuscaloosa, Aia..A assignoi to Glf States Papel* (Lo'rporat'ii,l a ccioratin of Delaware Application Febrary 25, 1949, Serial N.'733:04?

425 Claims. (Cl. 53`-7)` My present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming paper bags and thef like' into packages, and while not limited thereto, to a method and apparatus by which paper bags are packaged as they are delivered'frorn a high speed bag making machine. i

In the art to which my invention relates, paper bags are generally made on automatic machines in a continuous process'. In some cases the bags are delivered from the bag making machine in' upright position, that is, with the bottoms' dovv'n, and with the bottoms' folded flat against thsides of the bags. Present day bag making'macliines' are capable of making and delivering approximately 1500 small bags. (one pond bags pei" minute, and proportionately Asmaller numbers of larger bags. The bags are delivered cheat a triiev from the discharge end of the bagmachne, and one of the prior methods of assembling the same comprises feeding them from tlfiebagA making'- machine into a trough-like receiver; from' whence they are manually removed',y hunched, and tied'. Some machines are equipped' with a'i'i'tomatic counting devices operable to Cause every'Qth-or" the like bag to be raised' above the" general' level' of the remainder in the trough, tl'is aiding the operator in counting; the bags` to form" packages' of equal number. Thepackaging operation therefore consistsv in an' operator iran'ally'removing from the trough a' given numberof'grcp's" of bags and binding them b'ytyi'ngfa stiiigr'the' like around the groups', thus to" formi a pacla'g'el This manual operation is' very' slovf and' fatiguirig, and has necessitated the slowing'dov'vn of the bag lmachines to around 500 small'bagsperniinutaor method and Vapparati'is' for' formng'bags into packages especially adaptedfr'lise in connection with high speed bag making'r'r'iachines.andfully effective to permit'the' bag makngmachine tobe operated at its maximum'oapacityi Y My invention contemplates the methodofforming individual bags intoy packages which comprises assembling a predetermined number of bags into sub-groups or units? and: thenperiodbottoms alternately disposed, thusjs'avig 'tini'ein ,.21 these groups tof a paclzage forming Station Where they are placed sidel by Side' with the bottoms 'of thelbag's of adjacent groups Adi'sipos'edat opposite' ends of the package, thus providing a-'sdbstantially' rectangular lniazclzaggfe which lends'tself'to economical, space saving" packaging for shipping purposes. Y n j y Another object is to' provide' a method of the character designated in Whichfthe' bags" are tated While being transferred from the pi'ntf assembly of the' groups tothepa'ckgably station, whereby upon arrival at thev latter Station the groups are ready for assembly with the' the' transfer process, and' preventing" the nces'- sity of shifting or rehandling the groups" after' a'ri'fiv'alz atthe packagingstation.

Another object is to providel a method of' 'trie character designated in which bags toA be packaged are' nist-formed intoj grob's Comprisi 'g a given*- iiumboi of individual bags and iii vvV plurality of the groups are assembled with? the' tops or the bags thereof overlapping, and-then inse'ciring the" package intermediate endsJ by wrapping the'rearound a length of paperjtape or nienke: f l

Another object is to provide apparatusfor 'el ceiving bags from abag machine and having means for counting and assembling the be'jgsiri/.to'V Sub-groups, a rotary transfer mechanism` for placing the" groups in af' 'package assembly' mechanism' with' the' bottoms? of thel bagsfo'f adjacent groups lying at opposite ends of the package;- together with mechanism disposed t'o'receive and rotate theV assembled package' thereby' to wrap a" length' ofA tape "or other "material thereaboutto securethepackaga f f Another objectfis toffp ovid'efapparatu's-f'ofthe character designated in which theseveral'Iiiot-ioh's are timed with respect.. tof deliveryy of bags .from the bag machineaandf timed withv respect tofeachi other whereby' thefbaes arerect-,iived;y divided intoy subigroups, transferred tothe package'assembly' oaiiy and in timed regularity witiithe'receiiotor bags from the' bag making" machine" delivering wrapped and ejected all as sequential' steps in'a continuous process, and to accomplishthese operations lwith relatively slowly'V moving compo-nent parts forming the complete apparatus; v L

A further object is to provide apparatus of the character designated in which the mechanism'for ltransferring the subrgroups to the-package aS- sembly mechanism isY also` operable Vto rotate suecessive packages alternat'elyv to obtain" the'par separating the bags into sub-groups as they are delivered to my improved apparatus which shall accomplish the separating operation without interrupting the delivery of bags from the bag making machine; to provide rotary mechanism for transferring the groups of bags from the group assembly mechanism to the package assembly mechanism which embodies spring biased cam actuated grippers adapted to releasably grip the group of bags at each side, thus to assure alignment of the bags While in transit and their proper placement in the package assembly mechanism;

to provide a group holding and package compressing mechanism operable to prevent the bags from being displaced from the package assembly mechanism during assembly of the package; to provide mechanism for automatically feeding the securing tape over the package in position to be wrapped therearound upon rotation of the package; and to provide a rotatable package receiving mechanism operable to wind the tape thereabout and come to rest with the package in position for ejection by a suitable mechanism.

My improved method and apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package of paper bags formed in accordance with my inproved method and which may be formed on my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away and in section and with parts omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and looking in the direction of the arrows III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental side elevational view. partly broken away, and looking in the direction of arrows IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along the line V-V of Fig. 2 and illustrating the various parts in an intermediate position in'the formation of a package of bags;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional View through the vane wheel and portions of the bag group assembling mechanism, taken generally along line VI-VI of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view of the bag group transfer actuating mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on line IX--IX of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 1l are detail .sectional views taken on the respective lines indicated on Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a, fragmental side elevational view of one of the bag group pickup mechanisms;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a somewhat diagrammatic, fragmental perspective view of the bag group assembling and raising mechanism and of the drive shafts. gears and cams for this mechanism and other parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 15 is a fragmental feeding mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15; i

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the driven band feeding roller;

Fig. 18 is a detail side elevational view of the package ejecting mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a fragmental front elevational view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 18;

plan view of the band Figs. 20 to 25 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the apparatus;

Fig. 26 is a View corresponding to Fig. ll and showing modified mechanisms for forming the bags into groups and for rotating the assembled package to wrap the tape thereabout;

Fig. 27 is a detail perspective view of the spring fingers for aligning and holding the bags while in the group assembling mechanism shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a fragmental plan view of a portion of the modified package receiving and rotating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 29 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 28 as viewed along line XXIX- XXIX of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is an enlarged plan view of the clutch jaw releasing and driving mechanism for the modified package wrapping mechanism shown in Fig. 28;

Fig. 31 is a detail sectional view taken along line XXXI-XXXI of Fig. 30;

Fig 32 is a front elevational view of one of the rotatable jaws and associated mechanisms of the apparatus shown in Fig. 28;

Fig. 33 is a detail sectional view taken along line XXXIII-XXXIII of Fig. 32; and,

Figs. 34 to 39 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the modified package receiver, clutch mechanism, and package ejector.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, and more particularly to Fig. 1, I show a complete package of bags I0 formed of four sub-,groups or units II, of individual bags. The bottoms of the sub-groups are turned alternately to lie at opposite ends of the package and the tops of the bags overlap as indicated and are secured by a length of tape I2 wrapped thereabout. It is to be noted that the thick double portions forming the bottoms of the bags overhang the tops ofthe adjacent subgroup, whereby the package is substantially rectangular in shape. Such a package lends itself conveniently to further packing for shipment, and the bags may be quite readily inspected by an operator fanning the bottoms thereof between the thumb and forenger of one hand, while holding the package in the other. After inspecting the bottoms of two of the groups, the package may be rotated in the hand and the bottoms of the other groups may be likewise fanned for inspection.

For the purpose of describing my improved method and apparatus, I will assume herein that it is desired to form a package containing bags, and that four sub-groups will be employed to form the package. Each sub-group will thus contain twenty iive bags.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, my improved apparatus is shown in association with the discharge end I3 of the usual bag making machine, vthe remaining portions of the bag making machine being omitted since it forms no part of the present invention. In the manner understood, the discharge end of the bag making machine comprises a pair of belts I4 and I6 mounted on rollers II and I8 between which the individual bags I9 are delivered. The bags I9 thus emerge in timed regularity from between the belts I4 and I6.

My improved apparatus embodies a frame comprising side plates 2| and 22 suitably braced and held in spaced relation by means oi' a suitable number of cross Ibraces 23, many of which are omitted in .the drawings for the sake.. of clarity. The. entire framework:` is supported on legs 24 which. may rest on the floor of the building in which'the! apparatus is housed. The tops of the plates y2l and 22 carry angles 26 and 21 adjacent the forward end ofthe apparatus.'v and other angles. 28. and 29 project rearwardly from the `ends of the plates 2| and 22. thereby to provide means forsupporting the bearingsl for the various cross shafts and other mechanisms as will'bez'presently: described.

Adjacent the forward end 3f'of` the apparatus is rotatably mounted a cross shaft 32, journaled in, suitable .bearings 33 carried by they angles 26 and 21. iThe-'shaftl-32 is rotated in timed'relation withrespect to the bag' making machine throughr a chain'4 i313,v passing overa sprocket 36' on theshaft 32; and 'over a driven sprocket on thebag` making machine, not shown.

Mounted 'on the'v shaft 32` intermediate its ends is a vane wheel 31 corresponding substantially' to the type of vanewheel now used in connection with some bag making machines. As best shown in Figs. Band '1 the vane wheel comprises a pair of spoked' wheels '38 and 39 held spaced apart by means. of a sleeve 4 i, and both mounted fixedly on the 'shaft 32Yfor'rotation therewith'. yThe vane wheel'rotates in the direction indicated by the arrowson the several views. On the periphery' of' eac-hwheel'38 provide curved fingers 42 opening rearwardly 'in the direction of' rotation ofthe vane wheeLthereby to provide pockets for receiving the' bottomsof the bags as they' are delivered from between the belts I4 and i6. It' will be understood that the vane wheel rotates in timed relation'with the belts' i4 and f6 and the delivery ofthe bags I9 therebetween so that a set oflthe ngers 42 is positioned' te receive a bag eachtime 'oneis ldelivered from between the belts. v

Fixedly mountedon the shaft 32 are collars 43" and 414'; Mbunted loosely on the shaft 32, adjacentthe; wheels-3 8 and 39 are discs 46 and 41. Interposed between the discs 46 and 41r and the collars t3 and 4e are compression springs 48 and 49, and on the opposite sides of the discs between the collars and the wheels are similarcoil'springsv andf'52.' rEhe-collars 43 and 44- `are adjusted axially along the shaft whereby the discs 46 and 41 are compressively engaged betweenthe springs.

Mounted rearwardly of the discs 46 and 41, on arms 53 and 54 suitably' secured tothe frame work of the apparatus are rollers 56 and 51. The rollers engagethe'periphery of the discs 46 and 4'1 whereby the periphery of the discs'on the rear side of thevane wheel mechanism maybe'caused to converge, thereby to frctionally engage the sides of the bags as they are discharged from the' vane wheel in the manner later to appear. y

After being delivered to the vane wheel mech-r anism 31, the bags are discharged therefrom one at a time into a sub-package or unit assembly mechanism 'now to. be described'. As shown more clearly in Fig'. 5, rotatably' mounted in bea-rings on the inner sides. of' the plates 2l and 22 is' a shaft 58. The shaft 58 is disposed rearwardly of' and beneath the vane wheel mechanism 31; and hasiixedly .mounted thereon an upstanding arm 5t..A The arm 59 isl biased forwardlyV toward the Vane wheel bymeansf of 'a spring 6I and islimted in its rearward movement by means of a stop 62 in the form of a rod' connected at each end to they plates 2l and 22. Silidabl-y mounted on the upper end of. the arm 59 is a sleeve 63, held in adjusted: position. on thev arm' by means or a cured to the forward side ofthe sleeve 83 is an upstanding plate 66. Secured'to the bottom of the plate 66 are a plurality of forwardlyextending fingers 61. The plate 66 and its fingers 61 are disposed in' positionfor the iin'ger's 42 of the vane wheel to' deliver,V the vbags onto the fingers 61, plate 66 forming a backing member for holding the bags. Likewise; the plate and fingers are disposed to move `toward and lfrom the shaft 32 between the converging peripheries of the discs 46" and 41, whereby thebags are engaged along their'e'dg'es by the disc`s'46 and 415 to prevent the same from bouncing upwardly responsive to hittingy the fingers 61. f l

As before stated. it is an' object of the present invention' to assemble the "bags into sub-groups comprising a predeterminedlnumber of bags. To

this end, I provide mechanismoperable after 'a' predeterminedv number of A`bags havelvbeenvdeposited ony the fingers 61 to enter immediately in front ofthe last bag forming the group,fthus to prevent subsequently delivered bags becoming a part of the group.l Referring more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, I rotatably mount in suitable bearings 'carried' bythe plates `2l and 221 another cross 'shaft 68. Loosely'-niounteolaboutthe shaft 68 and extending forwardly' therefrom is an an-v gled arm G9a-biased upwardly bymeans of a spring 1|. The arm 69ext`ends forwardly beneath another rotatable cross shaft' 12, and'r has pivotally'connected'thereto an arm 13.V Thel arm 13- extends upwardly' and forwardly' for a distance, 'and thence is bent rearwardly slightly, 'and isv provided'adjacent its upperend with a cross member 14.5Secured to the cross member i4-are upstanding separator fingers 16Y and 11 (see also Figs. 6 and 7) which are disposed' to enter' between the bag receiving fingers 61 and between crank arm 83, one'leg 84 ofl whichv is disposed.

forwardly of and`=incontact with the cross inem` ber 14.- 'The other armL as or the crankiarm se has pivotally mounted thereto avertically disposed link 81 biased upwardly' by a spring. 81e.. The

link 814 is slotted on its upper endA asindicated at 88 and 'fits slidablyabouta shaft 8`9'-journaled'for` rotation in; inclined brackets '9L mounted ony the framework. fT-he link` 61y carries a" small roller 92' in contact with a cam 93 mounted on theshaft 89'. As seen inFig.v `3, shaft 3!!A carries thereona sprocket 94 over which passes a sprocket chain 961,` in turn passingover al sprocket 91 on the shaft 12".' Y

*From a 'consideration of the construction just describedit'fwill be apparent that the arm 69' moves downwardly periodicallyresponsive .to the coactioir'of cam 213 and roller 19;'thereby lowering the fingers 11' and 16, Whichiit willberemembered are biased upwardly by spring M -secured to arm 69. Likewise, the cam 93 moves/the link 81v downwardly and holds thesarne in that position for-approximately one-half of a revolution of the shaft 89', thus causing the'arm" 54 of the' crank varm` 935r to contact the cross member 14 thereby pushing-thefngers 15 and 11i` rearwardly. If-'thef'sub-unitsare each to' contain 25! bags,

7 the shaft 12 rotates once for each 50 bags delivered since the cam 16-is a double-lobed cam, while the shaft 89 rotates once for each 25 bags delivered to the group vassembly mechanism. Thus the fingers 16 and11 are normally in raised position, projecting aboveuthe top of the fingers 61, and are spaced forwardly from plate 66. In this position the bags delivered from the vane wheel accumulate onY the rearward side of the fingers 16 and 11, that is onthe side toward the plate 66. After 25 bags have been delivered Vonv the rear side of the fingers, the cam 93 causes the fingers to move rearwardly. This separates and positions a group of bags for removal by mechanism to be described, and holds them somewhat compressed against plate 66. During this time, additional bags to forma subsequent group are being depositedforwardly of fingers 16 and 11 on fingers 61,.l As soonas the group is removed cam 18 causes the fingers 16 and 11 to move downwardly below fingers 61, and spring 8| moves them forwardly of the position on which bags are being delivered onto fingers 61. This places fingers 16 forwardly of allnbags then on fingers 61 and beneath the same. in `response to cam 18 the fingers 16 again move quickly upwardly, remain spaced forwardly of plate 66 until the 25th bag is delivered, and then move rearwardly in response to cam 93, compressing another group of bags. The timing of these 4motions is such that at no time are there more than twicethe number of bags required for a package on the fingers 61. In order toassure complete separation-of the bagsadjacent their top s, I secure a curved arm 96 to the shaft 89and provideonjthe lowerI end thereof a c ross bar 99.; `This baris timedto engage immediately in front of the25th bagof a sub-group, and tocompressrthetop ofthe stack against the plate66. ''hebags,forming a subgroup of thevfinal .package arenow ,ready tobe transferred from the sub-assemblymechanism to the package forming Vmechanism ,by theV means now to be described.

Mounted rearwardly of the sub-package assembly mechanism previously described in. suitable bearings and |02 secured to the angles 26 and 21 is a driven cross shaft |03. `Surroundingthe cross shafty and non-rotatably secured to the framework are sleeves |04 and |06. The sleeves |04 and |06 terminate adjacent vthe longitudinal center of the apparatus as viewed in plan, and non-rotatably securedto each sleeve are cam mounting plates |01 andr |08.- Mounted on the shaft |03 between theplates |01and |08 is a block |09. Fixedly secured in opposite ends of the block |09 are radially projecting pins .5| and ||2. Surrounding the pinsV and ||2 are freely rotatable sleeves |3 andl ||4. .The vsleeves are held on the pins and ||2 by means -of* collars H6. ,l v

Referring more particularly to Figs. 12 Vand 13, the sleeves ||3 and ||4 carry identical gripping units indicated generally .by the number l||1 which are adapted to clamp about thesub-group of bags in the group assembly,mechanism.and to transfer the same therefrom and deliver them to the package assembly mechanism. The-units |1 are duplicates and the description of one will suiiice for both.

Welded to the end of the sleeve ||4 are a pair of plates ||8 and ||9 which extend outwardly to overhang the end of the sleeve 4 and its pin ||2. Secured at each end in the plates ||8 and ||9 are pins |2| and |22. Rotatably mounted on each pin between the plates, are outwardly disposed links |23 and |24. The link |23 is notched as indicated at |26, and the link |24 has a wedge shaped projection |21 extending into the notch. The links |23 and |24 are biased inwardly toward the shaft |03 by means of springs |28 and |29, anchored at one end to pins |3| and |32 secured to the sleeve I4, and at the other end to pins-|33 and |34 carried respectively by the links |23 and |24. The links carry hardened pads |36 and |31 on the edges thereof as indicated and which form cam surfaces disposed to be struckby stationary cams as will later ap- Deaf- Pivotally mounted on the outer ends of each of the links. |23 and |24 are outwardly extending gripper arms l|38 and |39 having inturned ends |4| andv|42 thereon. Welded to the end of the plates ||8 and` ||9. are angled brackets |44 and |43 with which the ends I 4| and |42 cooperate in gripping the unit of bags as indicated in Fig. 13.

Secured `to each of the brackets |43 and |44 are a `pair of ears |46 and |41. As shown in Fig., 12, the ears |46 and |41 are spaced apart and are connected by means of a pin |48 and |49, and surrounding the pins are rollers |5| and |52. The rollers are contacted by the outer sides of the arms |33 and |39, respectively, to hold the opposite sides of the arms into engagement with the ends |53 and |54 of the brackets |43 and |44, respectively. It is to be noted, as shown in Fig. 13 that the sides of the arms |38 and |39 adjacent the ends |53 and |54 of the brackets are widened as indicated at |56 and |51. Secured to one side of one of the links (link |24), and projecting outwardly therefrom is a pin |58, the purpose of which will laterbe described.

From thedescription just given, it will be seen that when the links |23 and |24 move outwardly with respect to the sleeve ||4, the widened portions |5 6 and |51 thereof contact the ends |53 and |54 of the brackets, thereby causing the arm-s |38 and |39 to spread apart. The rollers |5| and |52 serve to prevent the arms from moving apart when they are in bag gripping position, but are so disposed with respect to the moving pivotal centers of the arms and links as not to interfere with the spreading of the arms when the widened portions thereof contact the ends of the brackets. The precise functioning of this mechanism will be described in connection with the operation of the apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8, 9, land 11, it will be seen that the plates |01 and |06 carry on their innerv adjacent surfaces arcu- The cams '|59- |6| are of smaller radius than the cams |6 2|63. Describingl first the cams |62 and |63, each comprises a tapering surface |64 rising from a low point |66 and joined to, a fiat, non-sloping portion |61, the rise terminating at the point marked |68 in Fig. 9. The cams 55| |6| each comprise a tapering portion |69 risingyfrom a low point |1| to a point marked |12 in Fig. 9, and thence joining to a non-sloping, flat portion |13.

Mounted on the sleeve ||3 are followers |14 and |16, and mounted on the sleeve ||4 are followers |11 and |18. The followers on each individual sleeve are disposed at to each other, and the followers |14 and |11 cooperate with the cams |62|63 while the followers 1| and |16 cooperate with cams |59| 6 VWith the parts in the position shown in Figs. 9, 1,0, and 11,'and with the shaft |03l and consequently the arms and gripper units l |-1 rotating in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 9, the follower |11 is engaged on leither side between the parallel flat' surfaces |61 of cams |62 and |63, preventing the sleeve ||4 from rotating on its pin ||2. As the follower |18 contacts the sloping surface |69 of cam |59, it cau-ses the entire sleeve ||4 to rotate 90 counterclockwise from the position shown in Figs. 9 and 11. After follower 18 passes the points |12 of cams |59|6 it holds the sleeve |4 against rotation while the group of bags is being delivered to the package assembly mechanism, a-s will later appear. VA group of .bags is then removed from the fingers 61 and rotated 90 to be laid on edge in the package assembly mechanism. Likewise, at the point in the cycle of rotation shown in Figs. 9 and 11, the follower |16 engages between the parallel surfaces |13 of cams |59 and |6| causing its sleeve ||3 to be held against rotation while the group of bags in its gripper ||1 are being delivered. It will be understood that the follower |16, just prior to reaching the position shown has engaged surface |69 of cam 16| rotating its sleeve and gripper ||1 90. The direction of this rotationis opposite tothat imparted to sleeve |4 by its follower |18 engaging surface |69 of cam |59. After delivering its group of bags'sleeve H4 is rotated reversely to starting position by the follower |11 contacting the sloping surface |64 of cam |63. Corresponding sleeve ||3 is returned to starting position responsive to follower |14 engaging the sloping surface |64 of cam |62. Successively delivered groups are thus rotated oppositely whereby the thick bottom ends of adjacent groups lie at opposite ends of theassembled groups forming the package, as clearlyshown in Fig. 1.

Mounted on the side of the cam mounting plates |91 and |08, and in close proximity to the group assembling mechanism previously described are a pair of cams |19 and ISI.. The cams are supported on bolts |82, and the bracket therefor is slotted as indicated at |83, permitting the cams |19 and 18| to be adjusted angularly with respect to the plates |01 and |08. The cams |19 and |8| are disposed to be engaged by the hardened pads |36 and |31 on the links |23 and |29, respectively, thereby to open the arms at the proper time, permitting them to engage about a sub-group of the bags resting on the fingers 61. At the proper time, the pads run off the cams |19 and 18| permitting'springs |23 and |29 to cause the inturned portions |4| and |42 to clamp the sub-group of the bags between these portions and the brackets |43 and |44. The bags are thus engaged automatically as the shaft |03 rotates, are raised upwardly, one group being rotated 90 in one direction, and the subsequent group being rotated 90 in the opposite direction, and are now ready to be deposited in the package forming mechanism now to be described.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 5 and 14, I l

mount another cross shaft |84 in suitable'bearings in rearwardly disposed extensions of the side plates 2| and 22. Secured to the shaft |84 for rotation therewith are a pair of upstanding arms |86 and |81. Joining the arms at their tops is a cross member, |86, and extending upwardly from the cross member are vertically spaced bars |89. Each of the bars |89 has a horizontal, rearwardly extending finger |9| on which the groups of bags are initially deposited when released from the transfer mechanism as Will be described. Connected to the arm |81 is a link |92. The link extends forwardly and is slotted on its forward end as indicated at |93 to straddle the shaft 12. Adjacent the end of the link |92 is a roller |94, disposed to follow against a cam |96 secured to the shaft 12.

Mounted for koscillation on the shaft |84,is a sleeve |91. Secured to the sleeve |91 and projecting rearwardly thereof arearms |98 and |99'. The arms |98 and |99 are Aconnected by a cross Yrod 20| on which are mounted upstanding bars 202 and 203. The bars 292 and 263 arecross connected at their tops by va cross bar 204, and the bar 204 carries a plurality of vertically disposed 1 ngers 206..

Intermediate its ends the sleeve`|91- is provided with a crank arm 201, having its free end connected to one kend of a link 208, slotted at its opposite end as at 209, likewise to `straddle the shaft 12. The link 208 carries a roller 2|| disposed--to follow against a cam 2|,2 also mounted xedly on the shaft 12.. V

Disposed rearwardly of the mechanism carrying the fingers 206 is a vertically movable package assembling and raising mechanism to which the units or groups of bags are eventually delivered and formed into a peckage. This mechanism is adapted to move upwardly to place the assembled groups forming the package in a rotating mechanism later to be described. As shown particularly in Fig;` 14, this mechanism comprises a cross rod 2| 3, freely iioatable, andk supported on a pair ofarms 2 I4 and 2|6 pivotallymounted onthe shaft 12. The arms 2-|4 and 2|-6 are cross connected as at 2|1 and a forwardly extending bar 2|8 carries on its forward `end a-,roller .2|9.

Mounted on theshaft 68 is a cam 22| against which the roller 2|9 bears to periodically raise both of the arms 2|4 and 2|6. Y

The cross rod 2 3 has rotatably mounted thereon a pair of vertically disposed arms 222 and 223, cross connected at their tops by a cross member 224.. The member 224 carries vertically disposed members 229, and each of the barshas a forwardly extending, substantially horizontal, bag receiving finger 221. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, the rear side of the`vertical members 226 rests slidably against a cross member 228, thereby to hold the entire mechanism now being described to movement in a substantially vertical plane.

The several vertically `disposed members and their associated actuating arms just described are biased in the directions indicated in'Fig. 5 by .springs 229, 23|, 232., and 233. The cross member 204 on the arms 202 and 203 engages Ymembers 234 suitably secured to the framework of the apparatus and inclined at their tops toward .the rear thereof. The spring 232 holds the cross member 204 in contact with the inclined members 234. f

Mounted on the periphery of the cam plate |98 on the side toward the package assembly mechanism by means of a stud 236. passing through a slot 231 in a bracket is a cam 238. The cam 238 is disposed to be struck by the pin |58 depending from the link |24 as the gripping mechanisms |`1 approach the package assembling mechanism just described, thereby yto cause the arms |38 andl y|39 to move outwardly away from the package. It will be remembered that movement of `link .|24 also moves link |23 because of the engagement of the wedge |21 in the notch |26. This motion therefore rmoves the arms |38 and |39 outwardly and apart, freeing the group of bags, depositing the same on the vhorizontal fingers |9| Reviewing the functioning of the mechanisms just described, the sub-groups of bags are laid on the ngers |9| at a time when the arms |86 and |81 are in their forwardmost position, see Fig. 5. As soon as the arms |38 and |39 have released the group of bags, the link |92 moves forwardly, and simultaneously therewith the link 208 likewise moves forwardly responsive to their respective cams on the shaft 12. Thus, the fingers 206 are withdrawn, the groups of bags placed on the horizontal fingers 221 of the raising mechanism, and immediately thereafter the fingers 206 again come into raised position, immediately to the front of the last bag of the group. Upon upward movement of the arms 202 and 203, the cross member 204 thereof, being in engagement with the inclined members 234, compresses the bags against the vertical portions of the fingers 226 above the horizontal fingers 22,1. The fingers 206 thus serve to hold the several groups of bags on the raising mechanism until the raising mechanism is moved upwardly responsive to the action of roller 2 I9 and its cam 22|. In order to guide the package of bags in its upward movement as will later appear, I prefer to fixedly mount on the member 228 a set of vertical stationary, spaced fingers 239, having horizontal portions 239. See Fig. 5. The vertical members 226 and their fingers 2,21 move upwardly between the fingers 239a and their horizontal portions 239. The package is thus assembled by the mechanism just described, and in the illustration shown in Fig. l four of the units are used to form a single composite package. The package is now ready to be secured, and I preferably accomplish this by wrapping a length of paper tape or the like about the midportion of the package, and gluing the same in place. The mechanism for accomplishing this will now be described.

Mounted on the extreme rear end of the apparatus is a roll 24| of relatively narrow paper tape 242. The tape feeds forwardly from the roll and passes under an idler hold down roller 243 suitably journalled 'for rotation in brackets 244. The tape 242 next passes upwardy and forwardly in an inclined channel shaped guide 246. The inclined guide has its base'slotted as at 241, the slot commencing adjacent the lower end of the guide and extending completely through the upper end thereof.

At the upper end of the guide is a cross shaft 248, suitably supportedY in brackets 249 and 25|, and mounted on the framework of the apparatus. Surrounding the shaft 248 is a sleeve 252 carrying a roller 253 having a groove therein aligned with the slot in the guide 246. See Figs. 16 and 1'1. As shown in Fig. 2, the sleeve 252 carries thereon a pinion 254, meshing with a gear 256, fast on a shaft 251 mounted for rotation in suitable bearings, and having a sprocket 258 on one end. A sprocket chain 259 passes over the sprocket 258 and a sprocket 26| fast on the shaft 68.

The tape passes over the grooved roller 253, and beneath a roller 262 rotatably mounted on the end of an arm 263 pivotally mounted as at 264. The arm 263 passes over the shaft 251 which carries a cam 266 disposed to contact the arm to raise and lower the roller 262.

Mounted beneath the guide 246 is a tank 261 containing a supply of adhesive such as glue or the like. Adjacent the top of the tank is a shaft 268 carryinga sprocket 269 over which passes the sprocket chain 259. Intermediate its ends the shaft 268 carries a glue applicator 21| havingr a curved surface 212 disposed to extend through the slot 251 of the guide, there to contact the underside of the tape 242 and to apply thereto a line of glue. The continuously extending slot 241 prevents the glue on the underside of the tape from being smeared as the tape feeds upwardly. Likewisethe groove of roller 253 serves the same purpose.

Mounted on the ends of shaft 248 are segmental gears 213 and 214. As best shown in Figs, 2 and 4, connected to the shaft 248 is a crank arm 216, having pivotally connected thereto a link 211. The link 211 extends downwardly and forwardly and has a forked end straddling the shaft 68. Adjacent its forked end the link 211 carries a roller 218 disposed to follow against a cam 218 fast on the-shaft 68. The roller 213 is biased always into contact with its cam 219 by means of a relatively heavy spring 28|, thus resulting in an oscillating motion in one direction being imparted to the shaft 248 and to gears 213 and 214 whenever the roller 218 runs onto the high point of the cam 219. The link 211 and consequently gears 213 and 214 are returned to start position by the spring 28| when roller 218 runs onto the low point of cam 219.

Upstanding from the angles 28 and 29 adjacent the segmentaI gears 213 and 214 are vertical bearing standards 282 and 283. The standards 282 and 283 carry respectively elongated, inwardly directed bearing bosses 284 and 286 in which are journalled shafts 231 and 288. The shafts 281 and 288 carry pinions 289 and 29| engaging respectively with the segmental gears 213 and 214.

Mounted on the inner ends of the shafts 281 and 288 are plates 292 and 293, respectively, Secured to the ends of the plates are the ends of pairs of inwardly projecting plates 294 and 296. Disposed at right angles to the plates 294 and 296 are a plurality of package receiving and guiding fingers 291 and 298. The plates 292-233, 294-296, and the fingers 291-298 provide a dlvided bag receiving compartment disposed immediately above the package raising mechanism comprising the members 226 and 221. Through the arrangement shown, it will be seen that when roller 218 is moved rearwardly and upwardly as viewed in Fig. 4, shaft 248 `and gears 213 and 214 thereon are rotated, consequently rotating both halves of the package receiving mechanism in unison.

In a manner to be more definitely described later, the package has now been formed with the end of the tape 242 caught between some of the groups of the bags, preferably between the third and the last group, and has been raised upwardly into the rotating mechanism. As will presently appear, after the package is rotated and is being ejected, the tape engages a knife 299 thereby to shear and cut the tape. After receiving the package, the rotating package receiver turns one and one quarter revolutions and the ends 291a of the lingers 291 come to rest pointing rearwardly of the apparatus. This positions the package between a pair of plates 39| and 302 disposed immediately rearwardly of the rotating package receiving mechanism. It will be understood that the line of glue applied to the tape, due to the ejecting movement of the package is folded under to engage the top surface of the underlying layer of the tape and is stuck, whereby the package is now securely bound. The package ejecting mechanism will now be described.

Mounted for rotation in suitable brackets 303 is a shaft 304. The shaft 304 is driven by a. sprocket 306, a sprocket chain 301, and a sprocket 308 mounted on'the shaft fl'which as will be remembered is driven through the sprocket chain 96. As best shown in Fig. 18, the shaft 304 carries an arm 309 having pivotallyv mounted in 'its free end a bell crank 3| I. The arm 3|2 of the crank 3|| is long enough to extend downwardly .and engage the forward edge of the package of bags, thereby to push the same between the guide members 30| and 302 at the proper time;in:.the cycle of operation. The bell crank 3|| .is held against rotation by means of a roller 3|3 rotatably mounted in the arm 3| 4 of the crank :and engaging a curved cam 3|6 suitably mounted on a depending bracket 3|'|, f-ormedpreferably as a part of the bracket 303. The pivotal lmountingof the arm 3| I, with the roller 3| 3 disposed to contact the cam 3I6 assures that the long arm 3 I 2 moves vertically, thereby-to' Contact the package squarely. This action is illustrated particularly in Fig. 18 wherein the mechanism is' 'shown in dotted and full line positions.

Referring more particularly to Figs. .3, 4,'and 14, adjacent the front of the apparatus and lat a lower point in the framework I mount a shaft.

3|8. The shaft 3I8 is driven fromlthe'shaft 32 by means of a sprocket chain 3I3. Mounted on the end of the shaft 3|8 adjacent the'side plate 22 is a pinion 32|. The pinion 32|!k meshes with a gear 322 fast on the shaft 12. The shaft 'I2 carries a smaller gear 323, in turn meshingwitha gear 324 fast on the shaft 68. Shaft 63 .carries a sprocket 326, over which passes a vsp'rocketchain 327, in turn passing over a sprocket 328 fast on the shaft |03.

The ratios of the various sprockets and 'gears are such that all of the motions operate in timed relation with respect to the delivery of bags from the vane wheel. For the purpose of describing the functioning of the apparatus, it will be assumed that the vane wheel delivers ve bags per each revolution. At that rate, shaft 68 makes one revolution per hundred bags; shaft 12 makes one revolution for each fifty bags; shaft 3 I 8 turns one half the speed of the vane wheel, orin other words, makes one revolution for each ten bags; shaft 80 rotates one revolution per vtwenty five bags; shaft 304 one revolution per one hundred bags; shaft |03 one revolution for each iifty'bags; and shafts 251 and 268 one revolutionfor each one hundred bags. The sleeve 252 is driven at such speed that during the time the roller 262 engages the tape, a sufficient length ofthe tapeis fed outwardly to provide an adequate length thereof for engaging between the units', and'lto provide a length thereof to accommodate 'raising the package without pulling loose the frictionally engaged end. From the foregoing, the operation of my improved mechanism kso far described may now be explained and understood. Referring particularly to Figs. 20 to 25 inclusive, theba-gs are `delivered between the belts I4 and I6 into the iingers 42 of the vane wheel mechanism 37. The bags are then deposited onto the fingers 37 of the group collecting and assembling mechanism, it being understood that the separator fingers 'I6 and TI are normally in raised position, and that the bags assemble on the rearward` sides of the ngers. As soon as twenty five' bags `are delivered onto the fingers 61, the fingers 'I6 and I'I move rearwardly responsive to cam 9.3 separating the group of twenty five bags from those 'being delivered forwardly thereof. Simultaneously, the overhead separator comprising the arm 98 and cross bar 99 engages the topsvof therbags 114 further kcompressing and separating the same. Substantially simultaneously with these motions a gripper unit I VImoves into position, its jaws are opened by the hardened pads |36 and v|3'I engaging the curved cams |19 and |8I, engages the sides of the upright group I I of bags. As soon as the pads lrun off 'the upperends of the cam members, the jaws` snap shut responsive to the action of springs |28 .and |29, gripping the group of bags. On their upward and circular movement, the bags are 'rotated.90 through the medium of the cams |59 or I6I, whereby the particular group of bags islaid on edge on the horizonal fingers ISI with thel bottoms thereof at one end ofthe package to be formed. As soon as the group II of bags is laid on the ngers I9|, the cam |96 rocks the entire group receiving mechanism toward the rear, and simultaneously cain 2I2 causes the separating and compressing fmgers 206 to be withdrawn. The fingers 206, upon :moving downwardly also `move slightly forwardly responsive to action of spring 232 and the inclined members 234. As soon as the bags have moved rearwardly .onto the ngers 227 of i the package lifting mechanism, the fingers 206 rise again kforwardly ofthe package and move rearwardly to compressA the same against the upper ends of members .226. After three of the sub-units II `have been deposited in the package assembling mechanism, camy 256 permits lever 203 to lower, thereby causing roller 262 to engage the top ofthe tape Yand press it against driven roller 252, feeding the tape outwardly over the upper edges of the bags` in the assembly mechanisrn. When the fourthand -final sub-:package is delivered, its downward movement .onto the fmgers IBI and .its subsequent rearward motion serves to enagage .the free end of the tape between the third and fourth packages as clearly shown in Figs. 21 and 22. The ngers |00`now move rearwardly the .last time to hold the groups compressed, fingers 206 atthis time being lowered. Cam 22| now causesthe fingers- 22T to move upwardly,v pushing the entire package of four groups of bags upwardly into the rotating package mechanism, and with the tape 242 still caught therebetween. -As soon as the bags are in the rotating mechanism, cam 'I3 moves link 2I`I rearwardly, thatiis to the left as viewed in Fig. 4, rotating the segmental gears 2'I3 and 214 counterclockwise `as viewed in Fig. 4, thereby rotating both halves of thepackage rotating mechanism clockwise and invunison as viewed in Fig. 4. As the package isbeing rotated, the applicator applies the line of glue on the tape at a point just ahead of the point whereit will be severed. The package has now assumed the position shown in Fig. 25, whereupon .the ejecting mechanism moves rearwardly, the long arm vk3I2 engaging the forward side of the package,commencing. to push the same rearwardlybetween the discharge guide members/.30| `and 302. `Rearward movement of the-package brings the line ofglue on tape into contact and the subjacent layer of the tape on the then bottom `of* the package gluing the same, and .forcing the tape intoy contact with the knife 209, shearing the tape. The loose end of the .tapeleading from the roll is now ready to be fed further outwardly .over subsequent packages to be formed, thus providing the necessary loose end to be caught between groupsll it `-will be seen that the package rotates one and one quarter revolutions and the depending end of the tape carrying the line of glue is forced into con- 

